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News Updates
JANUARY NEWS Update



Tennessee Online
adds new section to popular Internet site

TN Preservation Trust announces state’s ‘10
most endangered’ historic sites

Governor dedicates new state forest

TN Preservation Trust’s 2001 scorecard

Gen. Dennis Cavin says ‘Volunteer’
tradition continues in TN

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
begins winter schedule

East Tennessee native to head Army in Europe

Revolutionary War’s ‘Battle of Boyd’s Creek’
reenactment to be held Dec. 13-15 in Sevierville

 


 

 

Tennessee Online adds new section to
popular Internet site


KNOXVILLE – Tennessee Online is pleased to announce a new feature segment to the web site called "Tennessee History Classroom." This section of tennesseehistory.com features in chronological order - by era - the stories of the noted men and women who founded and help settle what would become the state of Tennessee and those individuals who would rise to national prominence. In addition, it also features stories on famous events in the state’s colorful past.
Knoxville broadcaster and journalist Ed Hooper - the creator and producer of Tennessee Online – authored the stories featured in the classroom section to help in answering questions received from visitors to the site and as an aide to teachers requesting more classroom material on the state’s history and heritage. The Internet site currently handles more than 300 e-mails daily from students, teachers and scholars studying Tennessee history and this should enable us to focus more on speeding up our reply time to the growing number of public and private schools utilizing the site across the South.
More features will be added in the future and current stories updated as more information comes available of the events and subjects in the segment through archaeological studies and further research by scholars.
The section is broken down into three sections to make navigation of the site easier for students and teachers. At the end of most feature stories, is a section dedicated to updates and source materials for students and teachers of Tennessee history who wish to read more about the individual or events documented from other sources.
At the request of school administrators, photographs of the individuals will remain in the Tennessee Trivia section of the site to prevent classroom assignment problems.
We hope you enjoy the new segment and welcome responsible comments. If you encounter any problems, please don’t hesitate to contact us
.

click below to go to

"Tennessee History Classroom."


TN Preservation Trust announces state’s ‘10
most endangered’ historic sites

KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Preservation Trust has released it’s second annual list of the state’s 10 most endangered historic places in Tennessee.
The organization released the list this past November at their annual membership meeting in Clarksville and it includes numerous historic sites in the East Tennessee area.
"This year’s list," said Executive Director Patrick McIntyre, "reflects the full-range of irreplaceable historic treasures that make Tennessee unique. There is a 200-year-old farm in Sevier County, Native American archaeological sites in Chattanooga and the Alexander Inn – one of the most important remaining landmarks associated with the development of the ‘secret city’ of Oak Ridge. We’ve also listed the Chisca Hotel in Memphis where the first Elvis song was broadcast out of a real concern it could become the next ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ is not included in the development plans for the South Main historic District. By spotlighting these special places, we hope people will recognize their importance to our state’s heritage and work to keep them for the next generation of Tennesseans to know and appreciate."
The TPT is a nonprofit advocacy organization and an affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based National Trust for Historic Preservation. The list, in order, includes:
o 1. Tennessee’s historic stone walls, which is defined as a statewide threat due to private development and a lack of public awareness of their value. While legislation was passed to protect the stone structures – making destruction without owner consent illegal. People still rob the walls of their stones to be used elsewhere.
o 2. The J. Allen Smith House in Knoxville is defined as being threatened by demolition. The Mediterranean Revival-style home was once the residence of White Lilly Founder and Knoxville industrialist J. Allen Smith. The Cherokee Country Club acquired the home in 1999 and slated it to be demolished in order for the club to put in extra parking for it’s members-only golf course. Some members of the Country Club managed to get a bill introduced into the legislature last session to allow them to demolish the home, but preservationists across the state as well as Knoxvillians and Mayor Victor Ashe successfully fought to have the legislation thrown out of the session. It is expected to reemerge this session, but press coverage of the efforts to preserve and the powerful municipal league lobby are planning to fight it. The rare wood and marble floor entry as well as the structure itself are considered one of the best surviving domestic examples of architect Charles Barber’s work.
o 3. Gager Lime Manufacturing Company in Franklin County was listed as endangered because of general neglect.
The concrete buildings of the company the TPT says are significant because of Egyptian and Gothic Revival styles used in the structures. The company buildings are so unique that preservationists are hoping to preserve the castle-like structure constructed in the late 1880s and early 1890s.
o 4. The Drane-Foust House in Clarksville is considered threatened by demolition, even though the historic structure is located at the gateway to Austin-Peay University and the Tennessee Historical Commission funded a grant in the late 1990s to replace the roof. Some school administrators, however, are pushing to have the boarded up structure demolished. Preservationists and local activists say the building is an excellent example of a transitional Queen Anne-Colonial Revival dwelling and worth preserving. It is hoped the university will find a use for the structure on campus or will sell it to new stewards who will restore the home to it’s original condition.
o 5. The Alexander Inn in Oak Ridge comes in at number five on the list due to the possibility that the 1943 guest house will be demolished by neglect. The Inn provided housing to visitors of the Clinton Engineering Works – Oak Ridge – during the time of the Manhattan Project. The Inn is located on the National Register of Historic Places for the role it played in the Project. The building still maintains a high degree of visibility in the Oak Ridge Heritage Area, but is suffering from neglect and the lack of an interested party or parties to restore the structure.
o 6. The Historic Mills of Washington County is threatened by highway development. Preservationists say the structures are endangered by road projects as well as residential and commercial development. The three mills, which range in construction dates from 1778 to 1894, were once vital to the communities of upper East Tennessee and a part of the culture and heritage of the region. The St. John’s Mill, which has been in continuous operation since 1778 is facing a major problem with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, who is proposing right-of-way improvements that would make access to the mill more difficult for customers.
o 7. The Chisca Hotel in Memphis is considered endangered because of demolition. The Hotel, which has been owned by the Church of God in Christ as their headquarters since 1971, could be destroyed if a downtown redevelopment plan is put in place for the South Main Historic District. The hotel used to be home to the Dewey Phillips radio program, who, in 1954, became the first radio announcer to air a recording by Elvis Presley. Preservationists say the building’s square footage offers numerous opportunities for the building and it should be included in the downtown revitalization plan now be handled by Florida-based developers, who have spoke negatively about preserving the historic structure.
o 8. The Trotter-McMahan farm in Sevierville is listed as endangered because of road construction and urban sprawl. The Trotter-McMahan property has been identified by scholars of architectural and agricultural history as one of the most important remaining historic landscapes in the state. It is located in the Middle Creek Community and has been owned by the same family for more than 200 years – a record preservationists say is extraordinary. Several of the buildings that comprise the National Register-listed Farm would be considered landmarks in their own right, including the oldest documented cantilever barn in the county – a portion of which may date to the 18th century – and an imposing gambrel-roofed, rack-sided stock barn built in the late 19th Century. The two-story Greek Revival dwelling built by Dr. William H. Trotter in 1848 forms the centerpiece of the ensemble. Within the past year, the construction of a six-lane highway connecting Sevierville with Pigeon Forge has begun and, in effect, will split the farm in two. Preservationists say the split will lead to unprecedented commercial and residential development pressures. The family hopes to maintain the farmstead’s core buildings and insulate them as much as possible from nearby suburban and tourism-related development. At present the Trotter-McMahan Farm property remains the last intact farms of it’s size in this part of Sevier County.
o 9. St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia is listed as threatened because of neighborhood deterioration. The site has been a meeting place of church members since 1870. While the church itself is in good architectural condition, the neighborhoods around the structure itself is rapidly degrading and preservationists hope it’s listing will lead to a community-led revitalization project, which will help preserve the historic black church.
o 10. Native American Archaeological Sites in Hamilton County are listed this year because of private development and erosion. This past year the U.S. Senate passed a bill making the National historic Landmark-listed Moccasin Bend a National Park, but numerous other sites in Hamilton County, with a history in some cases more than 12,000-years-old are being threatened and not included in any preservation plans of the region. Recent construction of a waterfall restaurant uncovered burial remains near the Mississippian period Citico burial ground – destroyed in the early 20th century. Historic sites on the river such as Williams, Dallas and MacClellan Islands are being threatened by gradual erosion. Preservationists say educational initiatives, public-private partnerships and coordinated efforts at identifying and documenting additional archaeological sites throughout metropolitan Chattanooga are needed to help preserve the Native American sites.


Governor dedicates new state forest

NEWPORT – Gov. Don Sundquist formally dedicated the Martha Sundquist State Forest – Tennessee’s first state forest dedication in more than 50 years.
The ceremony was held at the Hartford Welcome Center in Cocke County.
"This forest is a tremendous addition to protected lands in Tennessee," said Gov. Sundquist. "Martha and I are deeply touched that the General Assembly has recognized her contributions as Tennessee’s first lady by naming this magnificent property for her."
Earlier this year, the Tennessee Legislature passed a resolution, which was sponsored by former Sen. Tommy Haun and Rep. Ronnie Davis, naming Tennessee’s newest state forest the "Martha Sundquist State Forest." The resolution recognized the governor’s wife for her work on women’s and children’s issues as well as her efforts to promote conservation and beautification in Tennessee.
"Tennesseans are blessed to live in a state of such natural abundance and beauty," said Martha Sundquist. "Words cannot express how privileged I feel to know that my name is associated with this beautiful property. I am very grateful to the General Assembly for it’s support."
The Martha Sundquist State Forest, which was formerly known as the Gulf Tract, was acquired from International Paper Corporation by the state in 2001 through the financial assistance of the Conservation Fund.
The 2000-acre state forest lies just west of the Appalachian Trail surrounded by Cherokee National Forest. It includes the upper watershed of Big Creek –a major tributary of the French Broad River. The forest provides habitat for black bear and recreational benefits include fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and camping. The Department of Agriculture also uses the forest to demonstrate sustainable forestry practices.
The Martha Sundquist State Forest is Tennessee’s 14th state forest and was the first addition to the 160,000-acre state forest system in more than 50 years. In august, Gov. Sundquist announced the acquisition of the Anderson-Tully property in Lauderdale County – portions of which became a wildlife management area and Tennessee’s 15th state forest.


TN Preservation Trust’s 2001 scorecard


NASHVILLE – According to preservationists with the Tennessee Preservation Trust, progress on last year’s ‘ten most endangered historic sites in Tennessee’ was pretty good overall with only the Coffman House in Hamblen County and the Dixie Portland Cement Pumphouse receiving a "no progress" designation.
In order of last year’s list, the status of the endangered historic sites is as follows:
o 1. CSA Train Depot in Johnson City received a "Some Progress" grade.
o 2. Deery Inn in Blountville received the only "Saved!". The Sullivan County government recently awarded a Transportation Enhancement grant in the amount of $828, 454 for restoration of the Deery Inn. These funds will be used to restore the historic inn and to refurbish several of the dependency buildings on the property site.
o 3. Coffman House in Whitesburg’s, Hamblen County received a "No Progress" designation.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will widen State Highway 11E. While the Coffman House is in the vicinity of the road project, TDOT will not physically take the property related to the Coffman House, however, damage to the structure may be unavoidable.
o 4.Devon farm in Nashville received a "Some Progress."
o 5. Trail of Tears, which is a statewide project received a "Good Progress" designation. A National Park Service-funded study is currently underway to assess and determine National Register-eligible sites associated with the Trail and interest continues to develop. In Pulaski, where two of the trails intersected, the Trail of Tears Committee has brought together several local groups. The Committee recently moved an endangered 61-year-old stone church – Mars Chapel – to a nearby park for use as a memorial that will include exhibits on the Trail of Tears and the forced Cherokee Removal.
o 6. Melrose School in Memphis received a "Some Progress" designation.
o 7. Chucalissa in Memphis received a "Some Progress" score. A new organization with the name "Friends of Chucalissa" was formed to help supplement the annual budget of the important Native American site. Although fund-raising efforts are well underway, unfortunately an exhibit had to be closed recently due to continued structural deterioration. The site has long-been one of the most visited Native American sites in Tennessee.
o 8. Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bradley County received a "Good Progress" designation for the efforts of community members in helping repair and restore the historic site. Plans are now underway to begin restoration of the cemetery.
o 9. Dixie Portland Cement Pumphouse in Marion County’s South Pittsburg received a "No Progress."
o 10. Robert E. Lee School in Henry County’s Paris received a "Good Progress" for a local effort to restore and rehabilitate the structure into an income producing property, which is hoped will continue to pay for the school’s upkeep and preservation.


Gen. Dennis Cavin says ‘Volunteer’
tradition continues in TN

KNOXVILLE – With the appointment of Lt. General Dennis Cavin to head up Army Accessions Command at Fort Monroe, VA. in February, the Martin, TN native joined Oak Ridge native Gen. "B.B." Bell as two native sons who succeeded to Commanding General Rank in the U.S. Army this year.
Dennis Cavin was born in Martin, TN Oct. 22, 1947. The Cavins had been a well established family in the community for more than 100 years and owned a small family farm, where Dennis Cavin spent his youth working the long hours necessary to help his family make a living. Cavin attributes his parent’s teaching him the value of giving his word, hard work, respect and commitment to finishing a job.
Following his graduation from High School, he continued his education and became the first in his family to attend college when he entered the University of Tennessee at Martin to study Agriculture.
"I was able to go to college through a lot of opportunities that were given me," said Gen. Cavin. "The opportunity to go to work in a men’s store there in Martin owned and operated by an Army Lieutenant Colonel who retired there to open the store and he kind of took me under his wing and helped me. His early mentor passed away last April and was buried in Arlington National cemetery with full military honors."
During his time in college, then-student Dennis Cavin married his childhood sweetheart Mary Brann, whom he met at a church picnic while still in high school, and recently celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary.
Following his graduation with an Agricultural Degree in 1970, he was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. He told his wife that he would only be in the Army for two years.
"I did not intend to make the Army a career," said Gen. Cavin, " I came into the Army in 1970 and no one came into the Army then stating up front they were going to make the U.S. Army a career. We were in the middle of the Vietnam War and nobody really knew what the future held, but after a year or so in the Army, I discovered I really did enjoy leading soldiers with the challenges the Army provided you. What I enjoyed most was probably watching young men and women grow and develop and to accomplish things based on your ability to plan and your ability to resource them properly and your ability to execute those plans. To watch them mature and get things done they themselves thought they would never be able to do."
General Cavin’s decorations and awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge.
Gen. Dennis Cavin still describes himself as a farm boy from Tennessee and carries a lot of pride in his home state’s record of military service and is proud of the rich heritage of service to America.
"Tennessee has always made me proud of this state’s service to the Army and this nation," said Gen. Cavin. "They are doing very well here at the University of Tennessee in their R.O.T.C. program as well as in our enlisted recruiting. We are doing very well across the board in Tennessee and why shouldn’t we be? We are an all volunteer Army and this is the ‘Volunteer’ state. I use that frequently because as I go around and talk to groups I tell every one of them; I looked at the past records and I am amazed. The majority of solders who entered the service from Tennessee were all volunteers and none of them were drafted. It is a tradition that still continues to this day and speaks well of the character of this state’s families and the patriotism that exists here for this nation."
General Cavin and his wife Mary have one daughter, Mrs. Brandie Costello, who became the second generation to graduate from U.T.-Martin. She currently resides in Nashville.


Great Smoky Mountains National Park
begins winter schedule

GATLINBURG-Officials with the Great Smoky National Park began their winter schedule last week closing some facilities and reducing operational hours for some Park services.The biggest delay for many will be the Newfound Gap Road Tunnels Rehabilitation project. It resumed this past Monday and is expected to continue until Nov. 26. Stonemasons will work on the guard walls near the two tunnels and perform other miscellaneous roadwork. Crews will be permitted to work seven days a week and this will entail one-lane traffic closures. No work will occur on Veterans Day.
This schedule should cause only minor traffic delays and motorists should be extremely cautious and adhere to the 15 mile-per-hour speed limits that are posted near the construction areas.
During the winter months, the two main roads "Newfound Gap (U.S.441) and Little River " will remain open, except for temporary closures during extreme winter weather conditions.
The Gatlinburg By-Pass. Cades Cove Loop Road, Cosby Road, Greebrier Road, Foothills Parkway (East and West), Upper Tremont, Little Greenbrier, forge Creek and Lakeview Drive will open and close as road conditions mandate.
Secondary Roads Balsam Mountain, Heintooga/Roundbottom and Straight Fork closed last week. Rich Mountain and Parson Branch Road will close on Nov. 14
and Clingmans Dome and Roaring Fork Motor Trail will close on Dec. 1.

Park officials stress that anyone planning on driving into the
Smoky Mountains National Park call (865) 436-1200 for an update on weather and road conditions.

Visitors Centers have reduced their hours of operation. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is now open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC will
be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Cades Cove Visitor Center will be opened daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. LeConte Lodge will accommodate guests until Nov. 26, when it will be closed for the season. Two of the three major campgrounds will remain open all
year. Cades Cove in Tennessee and Smokemont in North Carolina Starting Nov. 1, they will be on a self-registration basis with a reduced number of available sites. Elkmont in Tennessee will remain open through the Thanksgiving weekend and will be closed on Dec. 1. Balsam Mountain and the six remaining self-registration campgrounds closed last week.Six Picnic areas will remain open through the winter. These are Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, Cosby, Greebrier, Metcalf
Bottoms and Deep Creek.All stables in the Park are now closed, except the Smoky Mountain Riding Stable, which will continue service until Dec. 2 weather permitting. All auto-accessed horse camps are now close as well.



East Tennessee native to head Army in Europe

OAK RIDGE – Tennessee can add another native to it’s long list of prominent military figures.
The United States Senate officially approved U.S. Army General Burwell B. Bell III on Oct. 17 for the top post in America’s European command. President George W. Bush nominated Bell for the command position earlier this year. He will advance from Lieutenant General to general rank and take over U.S. Army forces in Europe (USAREUR).
The 55-year-old Oak Ridge native is expected to relinquish his command Fort Hood, Texas and assume his new post in Heidelberg, Germany early next year. He will be replacing Gen. Montgomery Meigs who is expected to retire at the end of the year. Meigs has led the Army’s European forces for the past four years.
General Burwell "B.B." Bell III is the son of career Army officer B.B. Bell Jr., who was assigned to the Manhattan project following his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1943. He worked for Union Carbide Nuclear Division as an instrumentation engineer at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant and the Oak Ridge K-25 Site until his retirement in 1973. He passed away last year at age 84 in Kingston following a brief illness.
Bell was born in Oak Ridge on April 9, 1947. He graduated from Oak Ridge High School where he played football and went on to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and enroll in the Reserved Officers Training Corps. He advanced in ROTC and decided to do four years in the Regular Army. During his first posting in Germany, the Oak Ridge native decided to make a career in the service. He worked himself through the ranks of the Army proving himself an able officer and military professional.
He served as Executive Office to Gen. Norman Schwartkopz during the 1990-91 Gulf War where he received a Bronze Star and went on to serve as Chief of Staff during Operation Joint Endeavor in the Balkans. During his tenure, he became regarded as an officer who could get the job done.
In addition to the Bronze Star, he has also received the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Gen. Bell’s posts have included Fort Knox, assignments in Europe and his current assignment as commanding general at Fort Hood, Texas.
Bell will be the Commanding General, United States Army Europe and will be one of eight four-star generals now serving in the Army. He will be over more than 60,000 active duty troops that are a combat ready force, including two armored divisions. Although based in Europe, his new command is available for immediate deployment anywhere in the world.
The possible role of the European forces in any planned action against Iraq are unknown, but is believed, after a solution is found to the current situation in the Middle Eastern nation, the administration will continue the policy of reorganizing the European command. Some have said they expect Bell to be the best man for the task ahead and have described the next few years in Europe as a turning point for American forces.
Military officials say they expect some changes to be made in America’s European forces and say Bell is the perfect candidate to "facilitate any such transformations" and maintain the strong ties America has with their allies in Europe while such changes are being made.
According to those close to the general and those who have served under him, Gen. Bell is regarded as a tough, no-nonsense officer and a brilliant field commander, who balances tough demands on his troops with a high priority on taking care of their families.
Retired General and White House drug czar Barry McCaffrey describes Bell as "probably the best all-around field commander" he has known in his 32 plus years of military service.
His wife, former Chattanooga resident Kathleen Bell, have always made the families of soldiers a top priority throughout his career in the Army and dedicated their time to numerous volunteer activities on base to make life easier for the families of servicemen and women.
When not on duty, Gen. Bell stays close to his Tennessee roots as a hunter and skeet shooter. Both he and his wife are also avid Tennessee football fans. They have one grown son, Burwell Bell IV, who currently resides in Tampa, FL.



Revolutionary War’s ‘Battle of Boyd’s Creek’
reenactment to be held Dec. 13-15 in Sevierville

SEVIERVILLE – The John Sevier Chapter of the Sons of The American Revolution are preparing for their upcoming "Battle of Boyds Creek" encampment and reenactment scheduled for Dec. 13 - 15 on Boyds Creek Highway in Sever County.
The reenactment commemorates the battle of Boyds Creek, which was fought on Dec. 16, 1780 by then-Colonel John Sevier and his group of soldiers who had just returned from the Battle of Kings Mountain. Sevier defeated a large force of Cherokee Indians who had attacked the settlers while he and his soldiers were away engaged in the King's Mountain battle. The Cherokee were allied with the British during the war and were used effectively by the Crown in numerous engagements along the frontier of North America.
Historians would later call the Battle of Boyds Creek "one of the best fought battles in the border region of Tennessee and the only Revolutionary War engagement in the region.
For two days, the reenactors will be encamped at the site and the actual battle reenactment will take place on Dec. 15.
Admission to the event is free for both spectators and those wishing to participate in the battle.
Costume for the event will include both colonial uniforms and wear often associated with the backwoodsmen of the era as well as Cherokee Dress.
"This is a first-rate educational activity for students and families," said Mary Ann Clark, "and the event attracts more and more people each year. The battle is always the climax of the event, but the encampments of the soldiers and the historical accuracy in everything from uniforms to camp gear is amazing. I hope that there is a good Cherokee presence at the event. Their historically accurate dress and encampments are probably one of the biggest surprises to people who are still caught up in the ‘Hollywood’ image of Native Americans and don’t realize how wrong their depiction of the Cherokee are. This is always a lot of fun for families to attend."
The annual event is one that may local reenactors like to participate in and enjoy the educational aspect of it as well.
"We really have a good time with the encampment and battle," said one reenactor, "and always enjoy the opportunity to teach others about the battle and this period in American history. Tennessee has one of the richest military heritages in the nation and it was founded in this era of our nation’s past."
The annual Battle of Boyds Creek reenactment is free and open to the public. Officials are hopeful that there will be a great turnout for the event, which will feature a number of other activities as well.
"What I find most fascinating about this region is the vast history of it that so few of its own people seem to know," said one local historian. "You have on Tennessee soil a time-line that stretches from Hernando De Soto to the French & Indian War to the American Revolution and beyond. Old forts, camp sites and historical places across this state that few people remember anymore and reenactments such as this help preserve and keep alive the history of this region. We are seeing our Civil War history preserved through first-class reenactments and events such as this allow us to try and preserve the other eras in America’s past that played out here in Tennessee."

 

 

 

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